New arrival is raring to work with clients

After studying a degree in theology at the University of Exeter and developing skills that were recognised by a career advisor as applicable to the legal profession, Stephen went on to complete a Graduate Diploma in Law at the University of East Anglia and a legal practice course at the University of Law in Guildford.

‘I have always felt there was a consistency throughout my education in unravelling difficult situations and ways of thinking before communicating them in a way that people could easily understand,’ he reflected.

In 2003, Stephen began a training contract with Hampshire law firm, Lamport Bassitt where he first experienced, and immediately became captivated by corporate law.

‘There were many late nights where we were completing transactions and negotiating against much larger law firms which I found very exciting and exhilarating,’ he said.

‘I suppose you could say I was “bitten by the corporate bug” and I knew this was the area of law in which I wanted to develop my career.’

After qualifying as a solicitor in 2006, Stephen spent a decade working in a variety of prestigious roles including in-house counsel at Zurich Financial Services, the corporate and commercial team at law firm Clarke Willmott and over five years in the corporate team at Bond Dickinson.

‘When I was approached to join Verisona Law, I felt it was the perfect opportunity for me to develop closer working relationships with clients, which can be harder to do in large organisations,’ he said. ‘I wanted to go back to helping local businesses succeed.

‘Businesses evolve in any number of ways, whether it be through fund raising, corporate M&A, joint ventures or whether it is just good old-fashioned organic growth.

‘I enjoy helping clients, earning their trust and building a rapport and finding ways to increase their profitability whilst protecting their existing assets.’

Stephen will be working closely with Michael Dyer, director and head of business law.

‘I’m looking forward to learning a great deal from Michael,’ says Stephen. ‘Not many people from regional law firms are nominated for The Law Society’s Solicitor of the Year, so I am looking forward to have his support and advice.’

Married with two daughters, Stephen is a cycling fanatic who rides his bike every day and covers over 100 miles a week on his commute to and from the offices of Verisona Law at Lakeside North Harbour.